## **Trustees’ Annual Report for the period 2023/2024** **From 01/09/2023 Period start date To 31/08/2024 Period end date** **Charity name: Birstall Playgroup for Children with Additional Needs** ## **Charity registration number: 1095651** ## **Objectives and Activities** ||SORP reference|| |---|---|---| |Summary of the purposes of
the charity as set out in its
governing document|Para 1.17|To advance the development of children
between 0 and 5 years with any form of
additional need or disability and their parents/
carers particularly by:-
i)The provision of a safe, welcoming and
stimulating environment
ii)The provision of appropriate play activities with
a view to assisting them in achieving their full
potential in the early stages of their development
iii)The provision of short break for parents and
carers
iv)The provision of a high ratio of helpers
v)The provision of an environment where
alternative augmentative and alternate
communication is an integral part of the
playgroup. E.g. Makaton- visual aids| |Summary of the main activities
in relation to those purposes for
the public benefit, in particular,
the activities, projects or
services identified in the
accounts.|Para 1.17 and
1.19|The provision of free to access, twice weekly
playgroup sessions with individually targeted
activities designed to improve the children’s
independence, communication, confidence and
ability to make their own choices.
For the parent/carers, guidance and support
especially in the early stages when the child
may be newly diagnosed. Also to provide the
opportunity for parents/carers to meet together,
in a nearby room, for mutual support, whilst the
children are in a playgroup session.
Provision of opportunities for professionals
working with families e.g. Specialist Health
Workers, Therapists, Pre-School Teachers and
Early Years Practitioners, to observe children in
a Play Situation.| |Statement confirming whether
the trustees have had regard to
the guidance issued by the
Charity Commission on public
benefit|Para 1.18|The trustees are informed by Charity
Commission guidance, as well as the group’s
constitutional aims, in ensuring that activities
carried out by this charity are compliant with the
aims and are of public benefit.| ## **Additional information (optional)** You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: SORP reference |Policy on grant making|Para 1.38|not applicable| |---|---|---| |Policy on social investment
including program related
investment|Para 1.38|not applicable| |Contribution made by
volunteers|Para 1.38|The group has approx 20 volunteers, most of
whom are volunteer helpers at the weekly
sessions, meaning that playgroup can offer a
very high adult to child ratio in the setting (and
very often a one to one basis). Some volunteers
sit on the Management Committee (Trustees
and non Trustees) and 5 volunteer for both.
Playgroup is heavily reliant on volunteers and
could not operate successfully without them.| |Other||| ## **Achievements and Performance** ||SORP reference|| |---|---|---| |Summary of the main
achievements of the charity,
identifying the difference the
charity’s work has made to
the circumstances of its
beneficiaries and any wider
benefits to society as a
whole.|Para 1.20|We are often told how playgroup has contributed
hugely not only to the children but also to the
wider families. We have evidence to show the
improvements in the children’s independence,
communication and confidence, in preparation
for their next step in education. Parents/carers
appreciate the room next door, where they can
rest, or speak to other people in similar
situations, offering each other advice on
challenges and links to other suitable groups.
We have been told many times that our service
is a life line for people.
We also hear from many of our volunteers that
this is an important part of their week. Some
have additional needs themselves, some live
alone and we hear that playgroup gives them
the opportunity to feel they are supporting a
good cause, contributing to their community, and
promoting a sense of purpose. They say that
supporting and watching our children develop is
so important and rewarding to them.| ## **Additional information (optional)** You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: Achievements against Para 1.41 objectives set ||Performance of fundraising
activities against objectives
set
Para 1.41
We are currently trying to raise funds to update
our outside play area and have raised
approximately one third of the amount likely to
be needed for this project. This was always
anticipated to be a long term fundraising project.
Investment performance
against objectives
Para 1.41
Other| |---|---| ## **Financial Review** |**Financial Review**||| |---|---|---| |Review of the charity’s
financial position at the end
of the period|Para 1.21|The financial position at the end of the period is
strong, with enough reserves to keep the charity
operating for approx a year, should funding be
withdrawn or lost.| |Statement explaining the
policy for holding reserves
stating why they are held|Para 1.22|Our aim is to hold enough reserves to be able to
operate playgroup sessions for around a year.
The reason for this is to safeguard the group and
our paid staff, against a situation where our
application for Children in Need funding is
declined (this has happened twice in the past) -
in those circumstances we would be able to keep
going until we can apply again.| |Amount of reserves held|Para 1.22|Total funds held at 31/08/24 are £22645.91. this
includes £5899.74 raised so far for the outside
area update, so reserves at end of year are
£16746.17, some of which is for staff wages.| |Reasons for holding zero
reserves|Para 1.22|not applicable| |Details of fund materially in
deficit|Para 1.24|not applicable| |Explanation of any
uncertainties about the
charity continuing as a going
concern|Para 1.23|not applicable| ## **Additional information (optional)** You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |The charity’s principal
sources of funds (including
any fundraising)|Para 1.47|Children in Need funding is our main source of
funds, this covers the costs of our 3 paid,
qualified staff running the sessions. For this
period we paid £5760 in rent to Birstall
Methodist Church and they donated the same
amount back to us, effectively not charging us
for use of the premises we operate from.
For this period, we also received a community
grant from the Co op, to fund an outdoor
playhouse, the rest towards improvements to
the outside play area.| |---|---|---| |Investment policy and
objectives including any
social investment policy
adopted|Para 1.46|| |A description of the principal
risks facing the charity|Para 1.46|The main risks to playgroup would be the loss of
Children in Need funding, also any potential
situation where we were no longer able to
operate from our usual premises.| |Other||| ## **Structure, Governance and Management** |Description of charity’s

||| |---|---|---| |~~t~~
~~t~~
Type of governing document
(trust deed, royal charter)|Para 1.25|Constitution| |How is the charity
constituted?
(e.g unincorporated
association, CIO)|Para 1.25|Unincorporated association| |Trustee selection methods
including details of any
constitutional provisions e.g.
election to post or name of any
person or body entitled to
appoint one or more trustees|Para 1.25|There should be a minimum of 3 Trustees on the
Committee, (in accordance with Charity
Commission guidance). Suitable new Trustees,
with a genuine interest in the group, shall be
invited to join following the agreement of the
Committee members.| ## **Additional information (optional)** You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |Policies and procedures
adopted for the induction
and training of trustees|Para 1.51|All trustees are required to undergo enhanced
DBS checks every 3 years, also safeguarding
training every 3 years. Trustees have been
provided with Charity Commission guidance and
are updated on finances and operational issues
at regular meetings. New volunteers to the
group are provided with a volunteer pack
including the group’s policies and procedures.| |---|---|---| |The charity’s organisational
structure and any wider
network with which the
charity works|Para 1.51|The Management Committee shall meet at least
three times a year and is responsible for
ensuring that the playgroup complies with its
aims and is properly managed.
The Committee shall consist of 3 officers, (Chair,
Secretary and Treasurer) and up to three family
members (family of children attending
playgroup) and up to three other members. Also
one representative from Birstall Methodist
Church and one representative from Social
Services/Menphys Special Outreach Service
and if the Committee so decides, not more than
three members co-opted by the Committee.
The Officers and Committee members shall be
elected for one year at the Annual General
Meeting. Retiring Officers and Committee
members are eligible for re-election.
In the event of the death or resignation of an
elected member, the vacancy shall be filled until
the next Annual General Meeting by a member
appointed by the Committee
Officers, elected members and co-opted
members each have one vote. In the event of a
tie, the Chair has a second or casting vote. A
quorum shall be not less than half the
committee, including two of the officers.
For the furtherance of these aims the group will
work with its key partners: Birstall Methodist
Church, Social Services and the Menphys
Special Outreach Service.| |Relationship with any related
parties|Para 1.51|The group is supported by Birstall Methodist
Church, who provide us with a room in which to
run the sessions and a lounge next door for use
by the parent/carers during the sessions.
Safeguarding training and DBS verification is
currently provided by the Methodist Church.
End of year reports are provided to Children in
Need, including evidence of achievements and
evidence of the spend relating to CIN funding.
Contact with CIN representatives is available for
advice.| |---|---|---| |Other||| ## **Reference and Administrative details** |Charity name|Birstall Playgroup for Children with Additional Needs| |---|---| |Other name the charity uses|| |Registered charity number|1095651| |Charity’s principal address|Birstall Methodist Church Centre,
Wanlip Lane,
Birstall.
Leicestershire. LE4 4JS| ||| ## **Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity** ||**Trustee name**|**Office (if any)**|**Dates acted if not for**
**whole year**|**Name of person (or body)**
**entitled to appoint trustee (if**
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20|Maria Middleton|Chair||Management Committee| ||Susan Wright|Secretary||Management Committee| ||S Claire Attewell|Treasurer||Management Committee| ||Julie Drabble|||Management Committee| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved ## **Director name** Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year ## **Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others** |Description of the assets
held in this capacity|Not applicable| |---|---| |Name and objects of the
charity on whose behalf the
assets are held and how this
falls within the custodian
charity’s objects|Not applicable| |Details of arrangements for
safe custody and
segregation of such assets
from the charity’s own assets|Not applicable| ## **Additional information (optional)** ## **Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)** **Type of Name Address adviser** **Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional** ~~**information)**~~ ## **Exemptions from disclosure** Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details ## **Other optional information** Declarations The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees, report above. Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees Signature(sl Full namels) Maria Middleton Susan Wright Position (eg Chair Secretary, Chair, etc) Secretary Date 8th November 2024 Birstall Playgroup for Children with Additional Needs Charities Commission Registered Number 109565 2022-2023 2023-2024 Restricted funds 13492.45 Children in Need 5184.00 Birstall Methodist Church 3440.53 Co-op Misc Donations 22116.98 Total Unrestricted funds 246.55 Interest CFB 4894.34 Misc Donations 5140.89 Total 13912.25 5760.00 3216.03 3404.91 26293.19 384.57 1550.00 1934.57 27257.87 Total Deposits 28227.76 80.84 Milk 425.82 Petty Cash 193.60 Bus Fare 234.00 Training 972.46 Equipment 497.39 Christmas 5184.00 Rent 14633.79 Salaries 508.99 50th B Party 350.00 Miscellaneous 23080.89 139.67 236.14 35.20 2530.82 474.33 5760.00 15139.11 Total Total 24315.27 4176.98 Difference 14556.44 Opening Balance 18733.42 Closing Balance 3912.49 18733.42 22645.91 11391.26 TSB 7342.16 CFB 18733.42 Total TSB CFB Total 14919.18 7726.73 22645.91 CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examinevs Report Report to the trusteesl members of Irs I Play•uP Ar Qh.Idr•n uiil add:>iorw%l On accounts for the year ended zoi Charlty no (If any) 1095G5J Set out on pages i *1 I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ("the Trusf) for the year ended riJ .. MV, . YYY Responslblllties and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ("the Acr). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145{5}(b) of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention (other than that disclosed below ") in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records Independent examiner's statement I have no concems and have come across no other matters in connection with the exarninatron to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Please delete the words in the brackets rf they do not apply. Slgned: Date: 13. 10. 11* Name: rfr RIChard CI£L Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): R¢LEira _ Address: Ilar3lqy ￿llY Lf L4icagEAr ' L£6 Gyhl IER October 2018